The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of whole body vibration (WBV) exercise on oxidative stress markers in a group of women with fibromyalgia (FM) compared to a group of healthy ...women (CT). Twenty-one women diagnosed with FM and 21 age- and weight-matched healthy women were enrolled the study. Plasma oxidative stress markers (primary outcomes) were evaluated at rest and after WBV, and included thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), iron reduction capacity (FRAP), superoxide dismutase antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD), and catalase (CAT). At rest, the FM group had higher TBARS (P<0.001) and FRAP (P<0.001), and lower CAT (P=0.005) compared to the CT. In the CT group, the WBV had no effect on TBARS (P=0.559) and FRAP (P=0.926), whereas it increased both SOD (P<0.001) and CAT (P<0.001). In the FM group, the WBV reduced TBARS (p <0.001), FRAP (P<0.001), and CAT (P=0.005), while it increased SOD (P=0.019). There was an interaction effect (moments vs groups) in the TBARS (effect size=1.34), FRAP (effect size=0.93), CAT (effect size=1.45), and SOD (effect size=1.44) (P<0.001). A single trial of WBV exercise improved all oxidant and antioxidant parameters towards a greater adaptation to the stress response in FM women.
The influence of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) particle size on the performance of an intumescent formulation and on the synergistic action of a series of montmorillonite samples with different ...d‐spacings for the production of flame retardant composites was investigated. The polymer matrix employed was poly(ethylene‐co‐butyl acrylate), EBA 30, and the intumescent formulation consisted of APP and pentaerythritol (PER). After being processed, the composites were submitted to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, heating microscopy, and limiting oxygen index tests. The results indicate that the greater interaction between the APP and PER molecules, caused by the increase of the contact area promoted by the reduction of the APP particle size, could favor the esterification reaction between APP423 and PER, allowing the formation of a greater amount of char precursors in shorter period of time. In addition, the montmorillonite d‐spacings had a more pronounced influence on the clays synergistic action with the intumescent formulation containing the APP with smaller particle size. Microscopy has shown to be an important tool to investigate APP particle size effect on the fire retardancy. AFM results enabled the detection of nanometric particles in the sample containing the smallest particle size of APP. SEM micrographs showed that those nanometric particles were better dispersed in the matrix, interacting more effectively with the other components, a factor probably responsible for the superior fire retardancy results. Heating microscopy revealed that the material with smaller APP particle size did show some remaining structure at the temperature of 850°C.
Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) nanoparticles enhance flame retardant properties when compared to APP microparticles by improving the char thermal stability.
Microscopy is an important tool to investigate APP particle size effect on fire retardancy.
Surveillance programs have been reporting decreasing rates of carbapenem‐sensitivity in Serratia marcescens, leading to a concern regarding the few remaining therapeutic options to treat these ...multidrug‐resistant (MDR) organisms. Here, we describe a case series of 11 stem cell hematopoietic transplantation patients infected (N = 6) or colonized (N = 5) by carbapenem‐resistant S marcescens (CrSm) from 2010 to 2013. The comorbidities found were acute renal insufficiency (3/11), neutropenia (7/11), and mucositis (8/11), and the mortality rate was 64%. KPC was the most prevalent carbapenemase detected (8/11) and tigecycline and gentamicin were the antimicrobials used as treatment.
The exposure of bees to agrochemicals during foraging and feeding has been associated with their population decline. Sublethal exposure to agrochemicals can affect behavior and the microbiota. Gut ...microbiota is associated with insect nutritional health, immunocompetence, and is essential for neutralizing the damage caused by pathogens and xenobiotics. Research on the effect of the bioinsecticides and fertilizers on the microbiota of bees remains neglected. In this study, we assessed the sublethal effect of both bioinsecticide spinosad and the fertilizer copper sulfate (CuSO4) on the behavior and gut microbiota in forager adults of the stingless bee Partamona helleri (Friese), which is an important pollinator in the Neotropical region. Behavioral assays and gut microbiota profiles were assessed on bees orally exposed to estimated LC5 values for spinosad and CuSO4. The microbiota were characterized through 16S rRNA gene target sequencing. Acute and oral sublethal exposure to spinosad and CuSO4 did not affect the overall activity, flight take-off, and food consumption. However, CuSO4 decreased bee respiration rate and copper accumulated in exposed bees. Exposure to spinosad increased the proportional abundance of the genus Gilliamella, but CuSO4 did not alter the composition of the gut microbiota. In conclusion, sublethal exposure to CuSO4 induces changes in respiration, and spinosad changes the abundance of gut microorganisms of P. helleri.
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•Partamona helleri survival was affected by exposures to spinosad and copper sulfate.•The overall behavior was not affected by the exposures.•The respiration rate of bees changed after exposure to copper sulfate.•The richness of the gut bacteria was not affected by the exposures.•Abundance of bacteria of the genus Gilliamella increased after spinosad exposure.
This work reports on the influence of polarization and morphology of electroactive poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, on the adhesion and morphology of myoblast cells. Non-poled, "poled+" and "poled-" ...beta -PVDF films were prepared by solvent casting followed by corona poling. Furthermore, random and aligned electrospun beta -PVDF fiber mats were also prepared. It is demonstrated that negatively charged surfaces improve cell adhesion and proliferation and that the directional growth of the myoblast cells can be achieved by culturing the cell on aligned fibers. Therefore, the potential application of electroactive materials for muscle regeneration is demonstrated.
Clostridioides difficile
(
C. difficile)
produces toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB), both associated with intestinal damage and diarrhea. Pannexin-1 (Panx1) channels allows the passage of messenger ...molecules, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which in turn activate the P2X7 receptors (P2X7R) that regulate inflammation and cell death in inflammatory bowel diseases. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of
C. difficile
infection (CDI) in the expression of Panx1 and P2X7R in intestinal tissues of mice, as well as their role in cell death and
IL-6
expression induced by TcdA and TcdB in enteric glial cells (EGCs). Male C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks of age) were infected with
C. difficile
VPI10463, and the control group received only vehicle per gavage. After three days post-infection (p.i.), cecum and colon samples were collected to evaluate the expression of Panx1 by immunohistochemistry.
In vitro
, EGCs (PK060399egfr) were challenged with TcdA or TcdB, in the presence or absence of the Panx1 inhibitor (10Panx trifluoroacetate) or P2X7R antagonist (A438079), and Panx1 and P2X7R expression, caspase-3/7 activity and phosphatidylserine binding to annexin-V, as well as
IL-6
expression were assessed. CDI increased the levels of Panx1 in cecum and colon of mice compared to the control group. Panx1 inhibitor decreased caspase-3/7 activity and phosphatidylserine-annexin-V binding, but not
IL-6
gene expression in TcdA and TcdB-challenged EGCs. P2X7 receptor antagonist accentually reduced caspase-3/7 activity, phosphatidylserine-annexin-V binding, and
IL-6
gene expression in TcdA and TcdB-challenged EGCs. In conclusion, Panx1 is increased during CDI and plays an important role in the effects of
C. difficile
toxins in EGCs, participating in cell death induced by both toxins by promoting caspase-3/7 activation
via
P2X7R, which is also involved in IL-6 expression induced by both toxins.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been investigated as promising candidates for use in new cell-based therapeutic strategies such as mesenchyme-derived tissue repair. MSCs are easily isolated from ...adult tissues and are not ethically restricted. MSC-related literature, however, is conflicting in relation to MSC differentiation potential and molecular markers. Here we compared MSCs isolated from bone marrow (BM), umbilical cord blood (UCB), and adipose tissue (AT). The isolation efficiency for both BM and AT was 100%, but that from UCB was only 30%. MSCs from these tissues are morphologically and immunophenotypically similar although their differentiation diverges. Differentiation to osteoblasts and chondroblasts was similar among MSCs from all sources, as analyzed by cytochemistry. Adipogenic differentiation showed that UCB-derived MSCs produced few and small lipid vacuoles in contrast to those of BM-derived MSCs and AT-derived stem cells (ADSCs) (arbitrary differentiation values of 245.57 +/- 943 and 243.89 +/- 145.52 mum(2) per nucleus, respectively). The mean area occupied by individual lipid droplets was 7.37 mum(2) for BM-derived MSCs and 2.36 mum(2) for ADSCs, a finding indicating more mature adipocytes in BM-derived MSCs than in treated cultures of ADSCs. We analyzed FAPB4, ALP, and type II collagen gene expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction to confirm adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic differentiation, respectively. Results showed that all three sources presented a similar capacity for chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation and they differed in their adipogenic potential. Therefore, it may be crucial to predetermine the most appropriate MSC source for future clinical applications.
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•Chitosan/gelatin-based materials were functionalized with pomegranate peel extract.•Extract was capable to improve the functional characteristics of the materials.•High phenolic ...extract content improved antioxidant activity of the materials.•Extract incorporation enhanced the stability against the applied strain.•Rheological properties were influenced by extract incorporation and concentration.
Biopolymer-based materials are potential candidates for food coatings application. In this study, pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract (PPE) at different concentrations was incorporated to chitosan/gelatin gels and the rheological, antioxidant and structural properties were evaluated. Due to its high phenolic content, PPE enhanced the antioxidant capacity of chitosan/gelatin mixtures. PPE addition extended linear viscoelastic range and enabled the samples to easily flow under the applied shear rate. Rheological properties indicated that both viscosity and activation energy of materials containing natural compounds are highly dependent on temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed the influence of PPE concentration in the scaffolds pores size. Findings of this study proved that PPE was capable to improve the functional characteristics of chitosan/gelatin-based materials enhancing the desired properties for their potential application as food coatings.
Allium sativum L. is an herb of the Alliaceae family with a specific taste and aroma and medicinal and nutraceutical properties that are widely marketed in several countries. Brazil is one of the ...largest importers of garlic in the world, despite of its production is restricted and limited to internal consumption. Thus, explore the genetic diversity of commercial garlic conserved at germplasm banks is essential to generate additional genetic information about its economically important crop. A suitable tool for this purpose is the cytogenetic characterisation of these accessions. This study aimed to characterise the cytogenetic diversity among seven accessions of garlic from a Germplasm Bank in Brazil. The karyotypes were obtained by conventional staining and with chromomycin A.sub.3 (CMA) and 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) fluorochromes. All accessions analysed showed chromosome number 2n = 16, karyotype formula 6M+2SM, symmetrical karyotypes, reticulate interphase nuclei, and chromosomes with uniform chromatin condensation from prophase to metaphase. The fluorochromes staining showed differences in the amount and distribution of heterochromatin along the chromosomes and between accessions studied. Based on the distribution pattern of these small polymorphisms, it was possible to separate the seven accessions into three groups. It was also possible to differentiate some of the accessions individually. One of the results obtained showed a heteromorphic distension of the nucleolar organiser region observed on the chromosome pairs 6 or 7 with peculiar characteristics. It was suggested for example, that the heteromorphic block of heterochromatin (CMA.sup.+++/DAPI.sup.-) on chromosome 6 of the "Branco Mineiro Piaui" accession can be used as a marker to identify this genotype or may be associated with some character of economic interest.
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